Blogabout - Frugality

I'm still "collecting" blogs.  Today I want to share two blogs that I've recently found that focus on frugality.

Blissful and Domestic is written by a wonderful lady named Danielle who writes from Nevada.  I found her blog via The Non-Consumer Advocate blog I've been reading for quite a while.  Katy mentioned B&D because Danielle and her husband managed to live on $14,000 USD a year - wow!  It helps that they don't have a mortgage and own their vehicles outright, but still ... it takes real effort and commitment to keep to such a tight budget.

I can't remember how I found Living Well on the Cheap - I think I was looking for ways to DIY some window coverings.  Charlotte writes from Louisiana.  I've read her entire blog - so many great ideas to try out.

Both of these blogs make me re-consider how I approach things in my life.  Instead of buying something because it's the easiest way to get a result I've been trying to "shop" in my own home, search the internet for alternatives, and generally take a moment (or two or three) before making a purchase that I don't really need.

Blogabout - Inspiring Artwork

The other day I was reading Apartment Therapy - which gives me such inspiration ... things to try, products to consider, and often new blogs to check out.  It's a site that's constantly updated, so there's always something new.  On this occasion I found myself working through various blogs until I reached Urban Sketchers.

Oh my.

Hundreds of artists from around the world contribute to this site.  The styles, images, discussions and observations are incredible.

If you love art, either to view or to dapple in, this website might just hit the mark for you.

I spent over an hour going through pages and pages of inspiring works.


Sketching at Ikea, November 25, 2012

Blogabout - Top Three Plus Four

If I have a busy day and don't have much time to spare I still make time to read some of the blogs I routinely follow, but I concentracte on my favourites.

with 15 minutes I head to my top three:

• The Non-Consumer Advocate
• Young House Love
• Chez Larsson

If I have 30 minutes I'll add in:

• Apartment Therapy
• Thistlewood Farm
• 79 Ideas
• Joy the Baker

There are others I enjoy, but sometimes there's no time!

Bless.

During a recent e-course I took on blogging I learned that there are over 6 million bloggers out there.  Wow!  I read close to 100 a day, so I have a few more to find ;)

One of my favourites is Thistlewood Farm by Karianne, a wonderful woman from Kentucky.  Her photos are beautiful, her writings engaging.  You have only to read her "The Game of Life" post to see what I mean - I dare you to not laugh and nod while all the time feeling bad for her.  Things happen and she's willing to share her ups and downs in the most uplifting, funny way.

I've commented a couple of times on some of her posts and she has always taken the time to reply - how gracious is that?  And what I love about her replies?  She always ends her replies with "Blessings."  The first time I read the word I felt a kindness - one word did that.  In other times we might have ended with "Peace, Man" ... but somehow Blessings is so right for the times we live in now.

Count our Blessings.

I've started using a slight variation ...

Blogabout - Collecting Blogs

Some people collect purses; others collect books.  I collect blogs.  I'm in love with the whole concept.  Finding blogs from all over the world, with so many different styles, topics, and ideas.  It's an incredible experience, don't you think?

Today, I thought I'd focus on two food blogs that I particularly like:

• Joy the Baker
• Smitten Kitchen

Both bring equal amounts of humour and knowledge to the kitchen.

 

Both have beautiful photographs.  Photographs that make the recipes come to life.  They both have an incredibly welcoming tone - you feel like they are "chatting" with you.  They both take the time to explain what's happening in a recipe.  Why certain ingredients are used.  I love that.

I enjoyed Joy's blog so much I purchased her recently published cookbook.  I'm saving my pennies now to buy the Smitten Kitchen cookbook that's also just hit the bookshelves.

Do you have any foodie blogs that you visit frequently?  What makes them special?